The Singles: 1982-1987

AllMusic Review
by Andy Kellman

Cherry Red's The Singles: 1982-1987 is a thorough double-disc set that chronologically compiles the ten A-sides (and their B-sides) released by Red Lorry Yellow Lorry before they left Red Rhino to sign with RCA. The inclusion of the 16 B-sides isn't something that only die-hard fans should rejoice about, as they are often just as strong as the A-sides and obviously stronger than a fair portion of the band's proper album material. While Red Lorry Yellow Lorry never wrote chirpy pop songs, it is rather surprising that their sound, as unrelentingly murky as it was, wasn't able to achieve more chart success in the U.K. The compilation also stands as a testament to a band who never placated the mainstream, all the while avoiding the derisive jokes that most goth rock bands were entitled to.